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Hounds unsure if players charged in sexual assault will be at training camp

Hounds veteran forward Nick Cousins, who finished tied for fifth in league scoring last season, is one of three team players charged with sexual assault. The others are Andrew Fritsch and Mark Petaccio.

The three have been charged with sexually assaulting an adult female, who was known to them.

The alleged incident occurred Friday at a central-area residence in the city. Each player is accused of having sexual intercourse with the female.

She reported the alleged incident to police, charges were laid Saturday and details were released Sunday by the Sault Ste. Marie Police Service. “We're still going through the process of collecting information,” Hounds general manager Kyle Dubas said Sunday. “This is so far beyond a hockey situation, we have not even thought ahead to training camp.”

Cousins, a 19-year-old from Belleville, Ont., and Fritsch, a 19-year-old native of Brantford, Ont., are scheduled to appear in court Oct. 1.

Petaccio remains in custody and is scheduled to appear in bail court Monday morning.

In a prepared statement released late Saturday night, the Hounds spoke of how they've seen these players “make excellent strides both on and off the ice.”

“That's what makes this very surprising,” Dubas said in a Sunday conversation. “This is going to go through the legal process. This is an accusation and the players will have the opportunity to defend themselves. We'll continue to perform our duty and support these players.”

Also, as part of the prepared statement, the Hounds said they would continue to support the police investigation in any way possible.

Asked if he'd spoken to the Greyhound players involved, Dubas said he couldn't comment on advice of legal counsel.

That advice, he added, has come from local lawyer Gord Acton of Wishart Law Firm.

Asked if he'd been in contact with Ontario Hockey League officials, Dubas again refused comment.

The Greyhounds informed The Star that both Cousins and Petaccio were directing all media inquiries to their respective agents.

Petaccio's agent, Dave Maciuk, did not wish to comment.

“We're just gathering information and we'll withhold comment until we know more,” said Maciuk, who grew up in the Sault and has been based in Chicago since the 1970s.

A phone message left at the office of Larry Kelly, who represents Cousins, was not immediately returned.

Attempts to reach Fritsch for comment Sunday were unsuccessful.

Cousins, a third-round draft choice of the NHL's Philadelphia Flyers in 2011, signed an entry-level contract on March 26.

“We are aware of the unfortunate incident involving Nick Cousins,” Flyers GM Paul Holmgren said in a prepared statement Sunday. “Due to a lack of information available to us, we will not comment at this time.”

Fritsch is also an NHL-drafted player, taken by the Phoenix Coyotes in the sixth round in 2011.

He has not signed an NHL contract.

As for the ramifications of the trio being charged, the Greyhounds could find themselves short-handed during games in American cities.

“A conviction would definitely keep them out (of the United States),” a U.S. immigration supervisor, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said Sunday. “But in this case, with people who've been charged, we look at those cases on an individual basis.”

During the 2012-2013 season, the Hounds are scheduled to play seven times in Michigan, four against Saginaw and three versus Plymouth.

They also play once in Pennsylvania, visiting the Erie Otters.

Not only that, much of the Hounds travel schedule involves crossing the International Bridge into Sault Ste. Marie, Mich., en route to games against Ontario-based teams such as Sarnia, London, Kitchener, Guelph etc.

“Bail conditions would have to be looked at before they could enter the United States,” the immigration supervisor said of individuals who've been charged with sexual assault. “They could be allowed to cross, but we'd have to ascertain whether they'd be a flight risk.”

Meantime, teammates of Cousins, Fritsch and Petaccio had little to say Sunday.

“We just need to stand together as a team right now and just let the legal process play out,” said overage defenceman Colin Miller, 19, a Sault native.

Miller refused further comment.

Fellow defenceman Ryan Sproul, a 19-year-old Mississauga native, was also brief with his comments.

“There's not much to say. As a team, we need to stay together and get ready for the season.”